Electromagnetically controlled valve



June 2, 1953 BAXTER 2,640,495 ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed March 14, 1950 4 Shee'cls-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. HAEEY BAUER June 2, 1953 H. BAXTER 2,640,495v

hLLECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed March 14, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORQ Huey AxrE/e ATWZ/VEY June 2, 1953 BAXTER ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed March 14, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 II fix $1 r FEL Eu \IIILJ 1A, 0 2 Q m W 4 MM 4 m INVEN-TOR. /74/E) BAXTEE Patented June 2, 1953 ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Harry Baxter, Garretsville, Ohio Application March'l4, 1950, Serial No.149,625

8 Claims.

Thisinvention relates to valve operating means and particularly to an electromagnetic selector adapted to selectively control a plurality of valves.

The primary-object of this'invention is'to provide an electromagnetic selector and valve-oporator-that is-an improvement over the valve operator disclosed in the application for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial [Number 769,478, lfiled by me on August 19, 1947, now Patent Number 2,530,563.

Another objectis'to provide anelectromagnetic valve operator for operating aplurality-of valves arranged in'a circle. The said operator being capable of'selectivelyopening, closing, or passing each of the said valves during one operating cycle.

Further objects are to provide a'valveoperator of the type stated that is rugged in construction,

reliable in operation, and economical 'to'manufacture.

These and-other objects of the invention will becomeapparent'from a reading oi the following specification and claims together with the'accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure '1 is a side v elevation of a controller for a multiple zone :heating system such ;as .is :described in my aforementioned co-pending patent application, with parts broken away TtOQShQW the electromagnetic valve operator :that is -.the .objectof this invention:

Figure '2 is a top plan view of the-distributor plate;

Figure3is atop plan viewlof the operator-land its associated valve cams taken substantially alongthe line andin'the direction ofthearrows 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is'a'top :plan view -of .one of the secondary valve cams;

"FigureB is a side elevation of one of thelpump and solenoid relay switch operating cams;

Figure 6 is a topplanview of one'o-f-the rimary valve cams;

Figure '7 is a top plan View of the cam shown in the'Figure-5;

Figure 8 is a view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrowsB-B of the Figure 1;

Figure9 is ato plan view of the operatorwith apart of the selector'plate broken away to show the rotor plate;

Figure 10 is a side elevation,'partly in section, of the electromagnetic' operator Figure "11 is' a'view looking in the= directionof the-"arrows l l'-- H of the Figurea 10 2 -Figure 12 is a side elevation of the selector plate;

Figure 13 is an exploded 'viewlof the operator, partly in section, taken along-the line "andziini'the direction of the arrows 13-13 of the 'Figurera;

Figure 14-15 a top-plan viewloia portioniofzthe rotor plate showing'the cam slot; vand "Figure -15'is aschematic wiring diagram-10f .a typical valve controller circuit for which this do.- vice is adapted.

C'onducive to -a better understanding lofxthis invention, itmay be wellto point outthatcthiswt-alve operator is primarilyintended to ccontrol va plurality of valves arranged'in a. circular zplane about a common center.

The number i of valves that can be "operated is unlimited, being restricted only "to the number "that canbe positioned .aroundthe circumfierence of a circle of a given diameter. Byl-enlargingthe size of the circle any numberlof valves ,mayJae controlled.

The operator illustrated in :the Figure 1 ,of the drawings is. shown in association with alsi x valve heat "controllerior a hot watersystem such. as is described inmy aforementioned co-pending patent application.

'Reference numeral-ZD indicates acircularmanifold which receives water frometheboilerand distributes it through valvedports 21 to radiators in each of the.zones. The -.stem2;2 of each valve extends zbElOW the manifold :20, through the operatoricase flange ii; and is -journaledrat .itslower end in :the .baseof the controller case.

The operatorcaseili is cylindrical-informwith an outwardly-extending flange 21 through which all of :the valve stems extend in spacedrelationship-equidistant from the center of the-case. A shouldered circular opening 28w.is.locatede.in the center of -the operator .case top. The opening 28 has acenter common with-that used to locat the valve stems l2 2.

A rotor plate or disc .32 P having a bearing; flange 3-6 is :rotatably seated within the-circular shouldere'cl opening, as illustrated in the aFigures .l and 3. The-platen hasla semi-ciroular camqnotch 31 -'cut in :the edge of .its r peripherfy as -.sho.wn in the-Figure 14.

A solenoidfiilismonntedeonthe undersideof the rotor platei32 as shownin'theFiguresl, 10 and 13. The solenoid has the usual 1 laminatedimagnetic .U iframe El and hollow magnetic winding 56 and is supported inzspacedrelationship-with the rotor plate by means of thelong tubul-anspacers 51, through which the mounting -:screws 59 are passed. There :are: three :spacers 51 "reacts of which is located equidistant from the other, with its upper end abutting the under-side of the rotor disc 32 and its lower end abutting the upper face of the frame base 53. Three short spacers 65, aligned with the tubular spacers 51, are positionecl between the frame base 58 and the dielectric plate 60. The screws 59 pass through holes in the plate 66, the short spacers 65, holes in the base 58, the tubular spacers 51 and screw into threaded holes in the rotor plate 36. The spacing of these mounting elements is shown in the Figure 11, wherein the heads of the screws 53 are shown in triangular spaced relationship.

A T-shaped armature 52 is slidably mounted in the center or" the winding 56 and between the ends of the U frame. A yoke having upwardly extending pins 53 is secured to the top of the armature 52. The yoke pins 53 extend through holes 34 in the rotor plate. Each hole 34 has a bushing 35 through which the yoke pins pass. There is sufficient space between the top of the solenoid and the underside of the rotor plate to permit a vertical movement of the yoke pins of approximately one-quarter inch.

The winding 56 is connected to contact brushes 6| and 63 which are mounted on a dielectric plate 60 secured to the frame by means of the spacers 65 and the solenoid mounting screws 59.

Reference numeral 40 indicates a circular selector plate having a dependent peripheral flange 42 and a central opening 41. The selector plate is slidably seated by means of the flange 42 on top of the rotor plate 32, as shown in the Figure 10.

The selector plate is locked against rotation relative the rotor plate by means of three guide pins 44 that slidably interfit holes 38 in the rotor plate 32. This leaves the selector plate 40 free to move axially relative the rotor plate. The selector plate has two holes 46 through which the ends of the yoke pins 53 pass. Lock washers 55 fit into annular grooves 54 at the outer end of the yoke pins and hold the selector plate and yoke pins together. The axial movement of the selector plate relative the rotor plate is thus limited to the movement of the yoke pins referred to herein above as one-quarter inch.

Six springs 45 seated in equi-spaced blind holes 39 located in the top of the rotor plate bear against the under side of the selector plate to normally hold the selector plate 43 at its limit of travel away from the rotor plate flange 36, as is shown in the Figures 1 and 10.

' Energization of the solenoid causes the selector plate 40 to be moved toward the rotor plate by reason of the downward movement of the armature and associated yoke pins 53. Under such conditions the selector plate takes the alternate position indicated in broken lines by the reference numeral 46a. The selector plate has a semi-circular cam opening 43 cut in its edge as shown in the Figures 9 and 12. The shape and position of this cam opening 43 coincides with that of the cam slot 3'! of the rotor plate 32. Ar'adially extending selector arm 4| is mounted on the selector plate with its center line over the leading edge of the cam opening 43. The arm 4| extends beyond the periphery of the selector plate a distance sufficient to contact the hereinafter described primary valve operating cam 23 when in its operating position as shown in the Figures 1 and 3.

A distributor plate made of dielectric material is'secured to the bottom of the operator case as shown in the Figure 1. A center switch point 69 which engages the center contact brush 6| of the solenoid is surrounded by switch points 68 which engage the brush 63 in progression as the plate 60 revolves as hereinafter described.

The number of switch points 68 varies with the number of valves to be controlled. In the instant installation, there are six valves necessitating six switch points 68. Each switch point 68 is oriented with its corresponding valve stem 22.

A fractional horse-power motor 30 is connected to the rotor plate through the shaft 3| whose lower end engages a keyway 33 cut in the top of the rotor plate 32 as shown in the Figures 1, 3, 9 and 13. The speed of the shaft is geared down to approximately one revolution per minute. The rotation of the shaft 3| causes the rotor plate 32 and its supported structure to rotate on its flange 36' within the shouldered opening or track 28 of the operator case 26.

A pair of vertically spaced earns 23 and 24 separated by spacers 25 are mounted on eachvalve stem in approximately the plane of therotor plate 32. The upper or primary cam 23 is positioned so that when the selector plate 40 and arm 4| are in their extended position as shown in the Figure l, the arm 4| will pass above the primary cam 23 as shown. However, when the solenoid 50 is energized, thereby causing the selector plate to move downward to the position designated by reference numeral 46w, the arm 4| will be caused to move to its alternate lowered position 4|a, wherein it engages the cam 23, causing it and its associated valve stem 22 to rotate as the arm is moved past it by the rotation; The lower or secondary.

of the rotor plate 32. cam 24 is positioned in the plane of the cam slot 31.

Referring to the Figure 3 it will be noted that the shape and relation of the two cams is such that the rotation of the stem 22 by the interaction of the cam 23 and the arm 4| causes the secondary cam 24 to enter the semi-circular cam slot 31 of the rotor plate 32 and be carried along by the rotating cam slot 31. It will be further noted by studying the Figure 3, that by reason of there being six valves spaced around the manifold a simple single cam and arm arrangement will not effect a ninety degree rotation of the valve stem required to either fully open or close the associated valve. By reason of the use of the two cams 23 and 24, the motion is initiated by the engagement of the arm 4| with the primary cam 23 and is brought to completion after the arm 4| is disengaged from the cam 23 by reason of the secondary action of the cam 24 which is moved into the position indicated by the reference numeral 24a by reason of its engagement with the rotor cam notch 31. The action is similar to that of a geneva wheel.

The employment of this camming arrangement permits valves to be spread on centers less than ninety degrees apart and still be turned through an angle of ninety degrees with each passage of the operator arm 4|.

Reference character 10 indicates a cam located on each valve stem 22 which controls the operating motor relay and pump switches 7| and 12 respectively. These, in turn, activate their respective circuits in co-ordination with the position of the attached valve.

In order to illustrate a typical use of this magnetic valve operator, it was thought that a schematic wiring diagram of a zone heating system involving only a single zone would be helpful. It is to beunderstood, of course, that any number of zones may be so controlled.

' Referring to the Figure there is seen a 110 volt A. 0. "line; a '24 volt step-down transformer W3; a conventional two position thermostat 1-04 having three contacts !,2 and 3 respectively; a two pole relay It}?! having contacts 1-8! and IE2 normally open; a two position relay switch H controlled by the cam lt; a normally open pump switch 12 also controlled by the cam T 0 and connected to the water pump motor I04.

All these units are suitably connected to the valve operator motor at and solenoid 50 as indicated.

Let i-t be assumed that the particular valve associated with the valve stem 221s of the Figure 15, is in its'closed position and therefore the systern shut down. The selector plate 40 of the operator is in its normal upward position due to sensitive arm carrying the contact 2 should engage contact 3 nothing would happen because 'the relay circuit is broken at the switch H. If conditions become cooler, requiring operation of the heating system, the heat sensitive arm will bend to the left until contact I is engaged. This activates the relay Hill causing the contacts NH and N32 to be closed. Closure of contact NH causes the operator motor to start turning the rotor plate 32. The closure of contact I02 completes the solenoid circuit up to the switch point 68:1: associated with the valve stem 22:: at which point the circuit is open. Since the solenoid is unenergized the selector plate and arm to and 4| respectively, are held in their normal raised position by the springs 45. Therefore, the revolving arm M passes above all the cams 23 of the valves requiring no action until it approaches valve stem 221:. As the arm 4| approaches the cam 23 of the stem 221:, the contact 63 engages the particular switch point 63cc associated with the valve stem 22a: and the solenoid circuit is energized. The selector plate and arm 4! are pulled downward bringin the arm 4| into the plane of the cam 2 3 which is engaged and turned by the arm ll as it travels past it, as indicated by the reference numerals Ma and Mb in the Figures 1 and 3.

As the rotor plate 32 and its attached distributor brush B3 continues to rotate, the brush (it breaks contact with the switch point 681: just after the secondary cam 2d engages the rotor slot 31. The solenoid is de-energ'ized permitting the selector plate 40 to move upward, under the actionof the springs carrying the selector arm "41 above the plane of the primary cam 23. The completion of the turning cycle of the valve stem 22x is carried on by the interlocked secondary cam .24 and the rotor slot 3'1.

This double cam arrangement not only effects a full ninety degree rotation of the valve stem under the conditions stated but also shortens the power period of the solenoid so that a relatively small winding may be used without danger of overheating.

The turnin'g' ofthe valve stem 223i: and its valve through a full ninety degree angle moves the-cam :10 to the position ma wherein the pump motor switch 12 is moved to its closed position Hacausing the pump motor l-M to start circulating hot water through the newly opened valve. .At the same time, thecam H! has moved the relay switch :11 to its alternate position Ha which opens the relay circuit through thermostatcontact i. This opens the switch I01 which turns off the rotor motor 3llstoppi-ng the rotor plate 32. Under these conditions with the relay switch ll in its alternate position no it will be seen that after the temperature of the zone rises-sufficiently to -'cause the thermostat contact arm 2 to move over to contact -3 the circuit will be setup to re eat the action just described thereby turning the valve stem 22x through another ninety degrees to close its associated valve-and-shutdown the circulation of hot water.

It is obvious that if other 'zone valves require the action of the operator to either open or close them the several heat zone circuits, which are duplicates of the single one illustrated, will keep the motor '30 and its associated rotor plate 32 ro tating until all the valves have been operated upon in sequence.

While this electromagnetic valve operator is intended primarily for use in a controller for a zone heating system, such as described and illustrated herein, it is of course understood that the device may be used to control any type of apparatus that lends itself to the circular "arrange ment of its controlling elements about a common center.

Having thus disclosed the invention in its preferred form, it is to be understood that the specific embodiment thereof as described and illustrated herein is not to be considered in a limited sense as there may be other forms or modifications of the invention which should also be construed to come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a valve, including a stem and a valve operating cam mounted thereon, an electromagnetic control device, comprising, a case member including means for supporting said valve stem; a rotor disc, rotatably mounted on said case member proximate the said cam; a selector plate, including an operating arm, slidably mounted on the said disc and movable axially relative thereto between an extended and a retracted position; spring means for normally biasing the said selector plate into its extended position, wherein the selector arm is out of alignment with the aforesaid cam and in non-cooperating position with reference to said cam; electromagnetic means mounted on the rotor dis'c, including an armature mounted on the selector plate, and operable when energized to draw the selector plate axially toward the rotor disc, against the biasing action of said spring means, into its retracted position, wherein the selector arm is in cooperable alignment with the afor'esaid cam; and means for rotating the said rotor disc, thereby to rotate the said valve cam when the selector plate and arm are in their retracted co-operating position, and to pass the said cam by when the selector plate and arm are in their extended position.

2. In combination with a valve, including a stem and a valve operating cam mounted thereon, an electromagnetic control device, comprising, a case member including means supporting isaid valve stem, the said case member also having a shouldered circular opening therein proximate the said valve stem and cam; a rotor disc having a laterally extending flange journaled in the said shouldered opening; a selector plate, including an operating arm, slidably mounted on the said disc and movable axially relative thereto between an extended and a retracted position; spring means for normally biasing the said selector plate into its extended position, wherein the selector arm is out of alignment with the aforesaid cam and in a non-cooperating position with reference to said cam; electromagnetic means mounted on the rotor disc, including an armature mounted on the selector plate, and operable when energized to draw the selector plate axially toward the rotor disc against the biasing action of said spring means, into its retracted position wherein the selector arm is in co-operable alignment with the aforesaid cam; and means for rotating the said rotor in the shouldered opening, thereby to rotate the said valve cam when the selector plate and arm are in their retracted co-operating position, and'to pass the said valve cam by when the selector plate and arm are in their extended position.

3. In combination with a valve, including a stem and a valve operating cam mounted thereon, an electromagnetic control device, comprising, a case member, including means for supporting the said valve stem, the said case member also having ing a dependent peripheral flange and a radially extending arm, co-axially mounted n the said rotor disc and movable axially relative thereto, between an extended and a retracted position; spring means for normally biasing the said selector plate into its extended position, wherein the selector arm is out of alignment with the aforesaid cam and in a non-co-operating position with reference to said cam; electromagnetic means mounted on the rotor disc, including an armature mounted on the selector plate, and operable when energized to draw the selector plate axially toward the rotor disc, against the biasing action of said spring means, into its retracted position, wherein the selector arm is in co-operable alignment with the aforesaid cam; and means for rotating the said rotor disc in the shouldered opening, thereby to rotate the said valve cam when the selector plate and arm are in their retracted co-operating position, and to pass the said valve cam by when the selector plate and arm are in their extended position.

4. In combination with a valve, including a stem and a valve operating cam mounted thereon, an electromagnetic control device, comprising, a case member including means for supporting said valve stem; a rotor disc rotatably mounted on said case member proximate the said cam; a selector plate, including an operating arm, slidably mounted on said disc and movable axially relative thereto between an extended and a retracted position; spring means for normally biasing the said selector plate into its extended position, wherein the selector arm is out of alignment with the aforesaid cam and in a non-co-operating position with reference to said cam; a solenoid coil mounted on the under-side of said-rotor disc, including an armature movable therein and dependent from the said selector plate, the said armature being movable between a first un-energized position, when the. selector plate is in its normal extended position, and a second energized position, when the solenoid coil energized, whereby the selector plate attached thereto is moved axially or the rotor disc into its retracted position wherein the selector arm is in co-operable alignment with the aforesaid cam; and means for rotating the said rotor disc, thereby to rotate the said valve cam when the selector plate and arm are in their retracted co-operating position and to pass the said cam by when the selector plate and arm are in their extended position.

5. In combination with a valve, including a stem and a valve operating cam mounted thereon, an electromagnetic control device, comprising, a case member including means for supporting said valve stem, the said case member also having a shouldered circular opening therein proximate the said valve stem and cam; a rotor disc having a laterally extending flange journaled in the said shouldered opening; a selector plate, including an operating arm, slidably mounted on the said disc and movable axially relative thereto between an extended and a retracted position; spring means for normally biasing the said selector plate into its extended position, wherein the selector arm is out of alignment with the aforesaid cam and in a non-co-operating position with reference to said cam; a solenoid coil mounted on the underside of said rotor disc, including an armature movable therein, and dependent from the said selector plate, the said armature being movable between a first unenergized position when the selector plate is in its normally extended position, and a second energized position when the solenoid coil is energized, whereby the selector plate attached thereto is moved axially of the rotor disc into its retracted position wherein the selector arm is in co-operable alignment with the aforesaid cam; means for rotating the said rotor disc, thereby to rotate the said valve cam when the selector plate and arm are in their retracted co-operating position and to pass the said cam by when the selector plate and arm are in their extended position.

6. In combination with a valve, including a stem and a valve operating cam mounted thereon, an electromagnetic control device, comprising, a case member including means for supporting said valve stem, the said case member also having a shouldered circular opening therein proximate the said valve stem and cam; a rotor disc having a laterally extending flange journaled in the said shouldered opening; a circular selector plate having a dependent peripheral flange and a radially extending arm co-axially mounted on the said rotor disc and movable axially relative thereto, between an extended and a retracted position; spring means for normally biasing the said selector plate into its extended position, wherein the selector arm is out of alignment with the aforesaid cam and in a non-co-operating position with reference to said cam; a solenoid coil mounted on the underside of said rotor disc, including an armature movable therein, and dependent from the said selector plate, the said armature being movable between a first unenergized position when the selector plate is in its normally extended position and a second energized position when the solenoid is energized, whereby the selector plate attached thereto is moved axially of the rotor disc into its retracted position wherein the selector. arm is in cooperable alignment with the aforesaid cam; and means for rotating the said rotor disc in the shouldered opening, thereby to rotate the said valve cam when the selector plate and arm are in their retracted co-operating position, and to pass the said valve cam by when the selector plate and arm are in their extended position.

'7. In combination with a plurality of valves, including stems and a valve operating cam mounted on each stem, arranged in a circle and having all of their cams aligned in the same plane, an electromagnetic control device, comprising, a case member including means for supporting all of the aforesaid valve stems and cams in spaced relation about a common center; a rotor disc rotatably mounted on the case member at the common center; a selector plate, including an operatin arm, slidably mounted on the said disc and movable axially relative thereto between an extended and a retracted position; spring means for normally biasing the said selector plate into its extended position, wherein the selector arm is out of alignment with the aforesaid cams and in non-co-operating position with reference to all of said cams; electromagnetic means mounted on the rotor disc, including an armature mounted on the selector plate, and operable when energized to draw the selector plate axially toward the rotor disc, against the biasing action of said spring means, into its retracted position, wherein the selector arm is in co-operable alignment with the aforesaid cams; and means for rotating the said rotor disc, thereby to rotate each of said valve cams successively when the said selector plate and arm are in their retracted co-operating position, and to successively pass each of the said cams by when the selector plate and arm are in their extended position.

8. In combination with a plurality of valves, including stems and a valve operating cam mounted on each stem, arranged in a circle and having all of their cams aligned in the same 10 plane, an electromagnetic control device, comprising, a case member including means for supporting all of the aforesaid valve stems and cams in spaced relation about a common center, the said case member also having a shouldered circular opening therein at the common center; a rotor disc having a laterally extending flange journaied in the said shouldered opening; a circular selector plate having a dependent peripheral flange and a radially extending arm coaxially mounted on the said rotor disc and movable axially relative thereto, between an extended and a retracted position; spring means for normally biasing the said selector plate into its extended position, wherein the selector arm is out of alignment with the aforesaid cams and in a non-co-operating position with reference to all of said earns; a solenoid coil mounted on the under-side of said rotor disc, including an armature movable therein and dependent from said selector plate, the said armature being movable between a first unenergized position when the selector plate is in its normally extended position and a second energized position, when the solenoid coil is energized, whereby the selector plate attached thereto is moved axially of the rotor disc into its retracted position, wherein the selector arm is in co-operable alignment with the aforesaid cams; means for rotating the said rotor disc in the shouldered opening, thereby to rotate each of said valve cams successively when the selector plate and arm are in their retracted co-operating position, and to successively pass each of the said cams by when the selector plate and arm are in their extended position.

HARRY BAXTER.

Name Date Baxter Nov. 21, 1950 Number 

